Structure-based design of novel human Pin1 inhibitors (III): Optimizing affinity beyond the phosphate recognition pocket

The design of potent Pin1 inhibitors has been challenging because its active site specifically recognizes a phospho-protein epitope. The de novo design of phosphate-based Pin1 inhibitors focusing on the phosphate recognition pocket and the successful replacement of the phosphate group with a carboxylate have been previously reported. The potency of the carboxylate series is now further improved through structure-based optimization of ligand–protein interactions in the proline binding site which exploits the H-bond interactions necessary for Pin1 catalytic function. Further optimization using a focused library approach led to the discovery of low nanomolar non-phosphate small molecular Pin1 inhibitors. Structural modifications designed to improve cell permeability resulted in Pin1 inhibitors with low micromolar anti-proliferative activities against cancer cells.     

Regulation of PRDX1 peroxidase activity by Pin1

Pin1 isomerizes the phosphorylated Ser/Thr-Pro peptide bonds and regulates the functions of its binding proteins by inducing conformational changes. Involvement of Pin1 in the aging process has been suggested based on the phenotype of Pin1-knockout mice and its interaction with lifespan regulator protein, p66^Shc. In this study, we utilize a proteomic approach and identify peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1), another regulator of aging, as a novel Pin1 binding protein. Pin1 binds to PRDX1 through interacting with the phospho-Thr⁹⁰-Pro⁹¹ motif of PRDX1, and this interaction is abolished when the Thr⁹⁰ of PRDX1 is mutated. The Pin1 binding motif, Thr-Pro, is conserved in the 2-Cys PRDXs, PRDX1–4 and the interactions between Pin1 and PRDX2–4 are also demonstrated. An increase in hydrogen peroxide buildup and a decrease in the peroxidase activity of 2-Cys PRDXs were observed in Pin1^?/? mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), with the activity of PRDXs restored when Pin1 was re-introduced into the cells. Phosphorylation of PRDX1 at Thr⁹⁰ has been shown to inhibit its peroxidase activity; however, how exactly the activity of PRDX1 is regulated by phosphorylation still remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Pin1 facilitates the protein phosphatase 2A-mediated dephosphorylation of PRDX1, which helps to explain the accumulation of the inactive phosphorylated form of PRDX1 in Pin1^?/? MEFs. Collectively, we identify Pin1 as a novel PRDX1 binding protein and propose a mechanism for Pin1 in regulating the metabolism of reactive oxygen species in cells.     

Coupled intra- and interdomain dynamics support domain cross-talk in Pin1

The functional mechanisms of multidomain proteins often exploit interdomain interactions, or “cross-talk.” An example is human Pin1, an essential mitotic regulator consisting of a Trp–Trp (WW) domain flexibly tethered to a peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) domain, resulting in interdomain interactions important for Pin1 function. Substrate binding to the WW domain alters its transient contacts with the PPIase domain via means that are only partially understood. Accordingly, we have investigated Pin1 interdomain interactions using NMR paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The PREs show that apo-Pin1 samples interdomain contacts beyond the range suggested by previous structural studies. They further show that substrate binding to the WW domain simultaneously alters interdomain separation and the internal conformation of the WW domain. A 4.5-μs all-atom MD simulation of apo-Pin1 suggests that the fluctuations of interdomain distances are correlated with fluctuations of WW domain interresidue contacts involved in substrate binding. Thus, the interdomain/WW domain conformations sampled by apo-Pin1 may already include a range of conformations appropriate for binding Pin1''s numerous substrates. The proposed coupling between intra-/interdomain conformational fluctuations is a consequence of the dynamic modular architecture of Pin1. Such modular architecture is common among cell-cycle proteins; thus, the WW–PPIase domain cross-talk mechanisms of Pin1 may be relevant for their mechanisms as well.     

Extended Impact of Pin1 Catalytic Loop Phosphorylation Revealed by S71E Phosphomimetic

Pin1 is a two-domain human protein that catalyzes the cis–trans isomerization of phospho-Ser/Thr–Pro (pS/T–P) motifs in numerous cell-cycle regulatory proteins. These pS/T–P motifs bind to Pin1's peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) domain in a catalytic pocket, between an extended catalytic loop and the PPIase domain core. Previous studies showed that post-translational phosphorylation of S71 in the catalytic loop decreases substrate binding affinity and isomerase activity. To define the origins for these effects, we investigated a phosphomimetic Pin1 mutant, S71E-Pin1, using solution NMR. We find that S71E perturbs not only its host loop but also the nearby PPIase core. The perturbations identify a local network of hydrogen bonds and salt bridges that is more extended than previously thought, and includes interactions between the catalytic loop and the α2/α3 turn in the PPIase core. Explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations and phylogenetic analysis suggest that these interactions act as conserved “latches” between the loop and PPIase core that enhance binding of phosphorylated substrates, as they are absent in PPIases lacking pS/T–P specificity. Our results suggest that S71 is a hub residue within an electrostatic network primed for phosphorylation, and may illustrate a common mechanism of phosphorylation-mediated allostery.     

Molecular mechanisms of the phospho-dependent prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1

Since its discovery 10 years ago, Pin1, a prolyl cis/trans isomerase essential for cell cycle progression, has been implicated in a large number of molecular processes related to human diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Pin1 is made up of a WW interaction domain and a C-terminal catalytic subunit, and several high-resolution structures are available that have helped define its function. The enzymatic activity of Pin1 towards short peptides containing the pSer/Thr-Pro motif has been well documented, and we discuss the available evidence for the molecular mechanisms of its isomerase activity. We further focus on those studies that examine its cis/trans isomerase function using full-length protein substrates. The interpretation of this research has been further complicated by the observation that many of its pSer/Thr-Pro substrate motifs are located in natively unstructured regions of polypeptides, and are characterized by minor populations of the cis conformer. Finally, we review the data on the possibility of alternative modes of substrate binding and the complex role that Pin1 plays in the degradation of its substrates. After considering the available work, it seems that further analysis is required to determine whether binding or catalysis is the primary mechanism through which Pin1 affects cell cycle progression.     

PinA from Aspergillus nidulans binds to pS/pT-P motifs using the same Loop I and XP groove as mammalian Pin1

Binding of the Cdc25c-T48 ligand to PinA from Aspergillus nidulans has been characterised by the identification of 15N and 1H resonances from 1H-15N HSQC NMR titration experiments using previous backbone assignments. It is shown that the binding site for the Cdc25c-T48 ligand with PinA is the same as in the mammalian protein Pin1, although with a reduced binding affinity. It had previously been proposed that the arginine residue (R17) in the loop I region of the Pin1 WW domain is essential for binding to the pSer/pThr-Pro motifs of phosphorylated ligands such as Cdc25c. In PinA, a fungal homologue of Pin1, the arginine residue (R17) is replaced with an asparagine residue (N17). The effect of substitution of R17 by N17 in Pin1 has been investigated via a computational study, which predicted that changing R17 to N17 in Pin1 lowers the ligand binding affinity as a result of reduced hydrogen bonding between the protein and the phosphate group of the ligand.     

A critical step for JNK activation: isomerization by the prolyl isomerase Pin1

c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is activated by dual phosphorylation of both threonine and tyrosine residues in the phosphorylation loop of the protein in response to several stress factors. However, the precise molecular mechanisms for activation after phosphorylation remain elusive. Here we show that Pin1, a peptidyl-prolyl isomerase, has a key role in the JNK1 activation process by modulating a phospho-Thr-Pro motif in the phosphorylation loop. Pin1 overexpression in human breast cancer cell lines correlates with increased JNK activity. In addition, small interfering RNA (siRNA) analyses showed that knockdown of Pin1 in a human breast cancer cell line decreased JNK1 activity. Pin1 associates with JNK1, and then catalyzes prolyl isomerization of the phospho-Thr-Pro motif in JNK1 from trans- to cis-conformation. Furthermore, Pin1 enhances the association of JNK1 with its substrates. As a result, Pin1(-/-) cells are defective in JNK activation and resistant to oxidative stress. These results provide novel insights that, following stress-induced phosphorylation of Thr in the Thr-Pro motif of JNK1, JNK1 associates with Pin1 and undergoes conformational changes to promote the binding of JNK1 to its substrates, resulting in cellular responses from extracellular signals.     

Anion binding to a protein-protein complex lacks dependence on net charge

The binding of anions to proteins occurs in numerous physiological and metabolic processes. In an effort to understand the factors important in these interactions, we have studied the weak binding of phosphate and sulfate to a protein-protein complex using isothermal titration calorimetry. To our knowledge, this is the first system in which the thermodynamics of anion binding have been determined calorimetrically. By studying both phosphate and sulfate binding and using a range of pH values, the charge on the anion was varied from approximately -1 to -2. Surprisingly, no dependence of the binding energetics on the charge of the anion was observed. This result indicates that charge-charge interactions are not the dominant factor in binding and suggests the importance of hydrogen bonding in specifically recognizing and coordinating anions.     

Peptide binding induces large scale changes in inter-domain mobility in human Pin1

Pin1 is a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) essential for cell cycle regulation. Pin1-catalyzed peptidyl-prolyl isomerization provides a key conformational switch to activate phosphorylation sites with the common phospho-Ser/Thr-Pro sequence motif. This motif is ubiquitously exploited in cellular response to a variety of signals. Pin1 is able to bind phospho-Ser/Thr-Pro-containing sequences at two different sites that compete for the same substrate. One binding site is located within the N-terminal WW domain, which is essential for protein targeting and localization. The other binding site is located in the C-terminal catalytic domain, which is structural homologous to the FK506-binding protein (FKBP) class of PPIases. A flexible linker of 12 residues connects the WW and catalytic domain. To characterize the structure and dynamics of full-length Pin1 in solution, high resolution NMR methods have been used to map the nature of interactions between the two domains of Pin1. In addition, the influence of target peptides on domain interactions has been investigated. The studies reveal a dynamic picture of the domain interactions. 15N spin relaxation data, differential chemical shift mapping, and residual dipolar coupling data indicate that Pin1 can either behave as two independent domains connected by the flexible linker or as a single intact domain with some amount of hinge bending motion depending on the sequence of the bound peptide. The functional importance of the modulation of relative domain flexibility in light of the multitude of interaction partners of Pin1 is discussed.     

Molecular basis for an ancient partnership between prolyl isomerase Pin1 and phosphatase inhibitor-2

Pin1 is a prolyl isomerase that recognizes phosphorylated Ser/Thr-Pro sites, and phosphatase inhibitor-2 (I-2) is phosphorylated during mitosis at a PSpTP site that is expected to be a Pin1 substrate. However, we previously discovered I-2, but not phospho-I-2, bound to Pin1 as an allosteric modifier of Pin1 substrate specificity [Li, M., et al. (2008) Biochemistry 47, 292]. Here, we use binding assays and NMR spectroscopy to map the interactions on Pin1 and I-2 to elucidate the organization of this complex. Despite having sequences that are ～50% identical, human, Xenopus, and Drosophila I-2 proteins all exhibited identical, saturable binding to GST-Pin1 with K(0.5) values of 0.3 μM. The (1)H-(15)N heteronuclear single-quantum coherence spectra for both the WW domain and isomerase domain of Pin1 showed distinctive shifts upon addition of I-2. Conversely, as shown by NMR spectroscopy, specific regions of I-2 were affected by addition of Pin1. A single-residue I68A substitution in I-2 weakened binding to Pin1 by half and essentially eliminated binding to the isolated WW domain. On the other hand, truncation of I-2 to residue 152 had a minimal effect on binding to the WW domain but eliminated binding to the isomerase domain. Size exclusion chromatography revealed that wild-type I-2 and Pin1 formed a large (>300 kDa) complex and I-2(I68A) formed a complex of half the size that we propose are a heterotetramer and a heterodimer, respectively. Pin1 and I-2 are conserved among eukaryotes from yeast to humans, and we propose they make up an ancient partnership that provides a means for regulating Pin1 specificity and function.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of wild type and mutant of Pin1 peptidyl-prolyl isomerase

Pin1 catalyses the intrinsically slow process of cis-trans isomerisation and has been identified as a possible drug target in many diseases. Recently, the wild type (WT) and the Cys113Asp mutant of the Pin1 peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) domain were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance. In this article, the WT and Cys113Asp mutant of PPIase domain are studied by molecular dynamics simulations. The structural stability analysis shows that the Cys113Asp mutation leads to the higher fluctuation of hydrophobic core in PPIase domain. The intrinsic correlated motions are important for the catalytic function of Pin1, whereas the Cys113Asp mutant system loses pivotal dynamical properties and develops wider conformational states than those in WT system. The intramolecular hydrogen bonds play crucial roles in the structural stability of PPIase domain. The mutated residue Asp113 attracts the side chain of His59 in the Cys113Asp system, which unbalances the internal interactions inside the catalytic tetrad. Meanwhile, the conformational changes of PPIase domain affect the side chain orientations of Lys63 and Arg69, which limit their binding with substrates. The Cys113Asp mutation destabilises the whole binding region of Pin1 PPIase domain, so the catalysis activity is severely reduced. These results are consistent with experimental studies and may help to understand the isomerisation mechanisms of Pin1.     

Peptidyl-prolyl isomerase Pin1 is a cellular factor required for hepatitis C virus propagation

The life cycle of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is highly dependent on cellular factors. Using small interfering RNA (siRNA) library screening, we identified peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (Pin1) as a host factor involved in HCV propagation. Here we demonstrated that silencing of Pin1 expression resulted in decreases in HCV replication in both HCV replicon cells and cell culture-grown HCV (HCVcc)-infected cells, whereas overexpression of Pin1 increased HCV replication. Pin1 interacted with both the NS5A and NS5B proteins. However, Pin1 expression was increased only by the NS5B protein. Both the protein binding and isomerase activities of Pin1 were required for HCV replication. Juglone, a natural inhibitor of Pin1, inhibited HCV propagation by inhibiting the interplay between the Pin1 and HCV NS5A/NS5B proteins. These data indicate that Pin1 modulates HCV propagation and may contribute to HCV-induced liver pathogenesis.     

Identification of tripeptides recognized by the PDZ domain of Dishevelled

The development of inhibitors of Dishevelled (Dvl) PDZ protein–protein interactions attracts attention due to a possible application in drug discovery and development. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we found that a tripeptide VVV binds to the PDZ domain of Dvl, which is a key component involved in Wnt signaling. Using a computational approach calculating the binding free energy of the complexes of the Dvl PDZ domain and each of the tripeptides VXV (X: any amino acid residue except Pro), we found that a tripeptide VWV had the highest binding affinity. Consistent with the computational result, experimental results showed that the binding of the tripeptide VWV to the Dvl PDZ domain was stronger than that of the tripeptide VVV. The binding affinity of the tripeptide VWV was comparable to that of the organic molecule NSC668036, which was the first identified Dvl PDZ inhibitor. The three-dimensional structure of the complex Dvl1 PDZ/VWV was determined to investigate the role of the energetically favorable W(?1) residue in binding. These interactions were also explored by using molecular dynamic simulation and the molecular mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann surface area method. Taken together, these two tripeptides may be used as modulators of Wnt signaling or as a scaffold to optimize an antagonist for targeting Dvl1 PDZ protein–protein interaction.     

Epitope‐specificity of recombinant antibodies reveals promiscuous peptide‐binding properties

Protein–peptide interactions are a common occurrence and essential for numerous cellular processes, and frequently explored in broad applications within biology, medicine, and proteomics. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanism(s) of protein–peptide recognition, specificity, and binding interactions will be essential. In this study, we report the first detailed analysis of antibody–peptide interaction characteristics, by combining large‐scale experimental peptide binding data with the structural analysis of eight human recombinant antibodies and numerous peptides, targeting tryptic mammalian and eukaryote proteomes. The results consistently revealed that promiscuous peptide‐binding interactions, that is, both specific and degenerate binding, were exhibited by all antibodies, and the discovery was corroborated by orthogonal data, indicating that this might be a general phenomenon for low‐affinity antibody–peptide interactions. The molecular mechanism for the degenerate peptide‐binding specificity appeared to be executed through the use of 2–3 semi‐conserved anchor residues in the C‐terminal part of the peptides, in analogue to the mechanism utilized by the major histocompatibility complex–peptide complexes. In the long‐term, this knowledge will be instrumental for advancing our fundamental understanding of protein–peptide interactions, as well as for designing, generating, and applying peptide specific antibodies, or peptide‐binding proteins in general, in various biotechnical and medical applications.     

Terminal sialic acids on CD44 N‐glycans can block hyaluronan binding by forming competing intramolecular contacts with arginine sidechains

Specific sugar residues and their linkages form the basis of molecular recognition for interactions of glycoproteins with other biomolecules. Seemingly small changes, like the addition of a single monosaccharide in the covalently attached glycan component of glycoproteins, can greatly affect these interactions. For instance, the sialic acid capping of glycans affects protein‐ligand binding involved in cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. CD44 is a single‐pass transmembrane glycoprotein whose binding with its carbohydrate ligand hyaluronan (HA), an extracellular matrix component, mediates processes such as leukocyte homing, cell adhesion, and tumor metastasis. This binding is highly regulated by glycosylation of the N‐terminal extracellular hyaluronan‐binding domain (HABD); specifically, sialic acid capped N‐glycans of HABD inhibit ligand binding. However, the molecular mechanism behind this sialic acid mediated regulation has remained unknown. Two of the five N‐glycosyation sites of HABD have been previously identified as having the greatest inhibitory effect on HA binding, but only if the glycans contain terminal sialic acid residues. These two sites, Asn25 and Asn120, were chosen for in silico glycosylation in this study. Here, from extensive standard molecular dynamics simulations and biased simulations, we propose a molecular mechanism for this behavior based on spontaneously‐formed charge‐paired hydrogen bonding interactions between the negatively‐charged sialic acid residues and positively‐charged Arg sidechains known to be critically important for binding to HA, which itself is negatively charged. Such intramolecular hydrogen bonds would preclude associations critical to hyaluronan binding. This observation suggests how CD44 and related glycoprotein binding is regulated by sialylation as cellular environments fluctuate. Proteins 2014; 82:3079–3089. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The discovery of steroids and other novel FKBP inhibitors using a molecular docking program

The molecular docking computer program SANDOCK was used to screen small molecule three-dimensional databases in the hunt for novel FKBP inhibitors. Spectroscopic measurements confirmed binding of over 20 compounds to the target protein, some with dissociation constants in the low micromolar range. The discovery that FK506 binding protein is a steroid binding protein may be of wider biological significance. Two-dimensional NMR was used to determine the steroid binding mode and confirmed the interactions predicted by the docking program.     

Binding of phosphatase inhibitor-2 to prolyl isomerase Pin1 modifies specificity for mitotic phosphoproteins

Inhibitor-2 (I-2) is the most ancient protein that selectively recognizes type-1 protein phosphatase and is phosphorylated by CDK1-cyclinB during mitosis at Thr72 in a conserved PXTP site. Pin1 is a peptide prolyl cis/trans isomerase conserved among eukaryotes that specifically reacts with proteins phosphorylated at Ser/Thr-Pro sites. We tested phospho-T72-I-2 as a substrate for Pin1 and discovered that unphosphorylated I-2 bound Pin1 with micromolar affinity and phosphorylation of the PXTP site or truncation of I-2 reduced binding 10-fold. Ectopic Pin1 coprecipitated endogenous I-2 and ectopic I-2 coprecipitated endogenous Pin1, but only in the absence of detergents, which may account for the interaction not being detected previously. Endogenous I-2 and Pin1 colocalized in HeLa cells and showed nuclear-cytoplasmic redistribution in response to cell density, suggestive of their association in living cells. Recombinant Pin1 binding to different phosphoproteins in mitotic cell extracts was modulated by I-2, and binding to individual mitotic phosphoproteins was increased, decreased or unaffected by I-2, showing that I-2 allosterically modifies Pin1 specificity. This was confirmed by mutation of Ser16 to Ala in the Pin1 WW domain that eliminated I-2 binding and abrogated I-2 effects on Pin1 binding to different phosphoproteins. A S16E mutation to mimic Pin1 phosphorylation restored binding to both I-2 and phospho-T72-I-2, indicating that phosphorylation of both proteins governs their interaction. The results reveal a novel function for I-2, and suggest phosphorylation-dependent regulation of Pin1 specificity during entry and exit of mitosis, in other phases of the cell cycle, and in multiple cell signaling processes.     

Competitive cooperative bindings of a small ligand to a linear polymer. II. Investigations on the mechanisms of proflavine binding to poly (A) and DNA.

Experimental binding isotherms relative to the interactions between proflavine and poly(A) or DNA are analyzed by comparison with theoretical models dealing with competitive cooperative bindings. In the case of poly(A), there are apparently no specific binding sites for the positive co-operative binding (complex I) leading to dye aggregation along the polyanionic chain. The second complex (complex II) seems to involve specific base-dye interactions, but it cannot be said whether this binding displays negative cooperativity or noncooperativity. None of the two simpler theoretical models agree quantitatively with all experimental data. A plausible interpretation can be given if it is assumed that (i) the electrostatic binding of one isolated bound dye molecule (nucleus of complex I) involves a definite interaction between a phosphate group and the positive charge of the dye; (ii) the structure of complex II is such that a dye–phosphate ionic interaction is maintained. In the case of DNA, our model of monoexclusive interactions fits the data more closely than does the model of biexclusive interactions. This gives experimental support for structural models in which the intercalated molecule interacts preferentially with one strand of the double helix and blocks only one phosphate for electrostatic binding. In order to propose a mechanism consistent with equilibrium and relaxation kinetic data, a modified reaction scheme is considered which takes account of the cooperativity effects in external binding and extends previous models.     

Structural Insights into the Mechanism of Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Gag Targeting to the Plasma Membrane for Assembly

Retroviral Gag targeting to the plasma membrane (PM) for assembly is mediated by the N-terminal matrix (MA) domain. For many retroviruses, Gag–PM interaction is dependent on phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂). However, it has been shown that for human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), Gag binding to membranes is less dependent on PI(4,5)P₂ than HIV-1, suggesting that other factors may modulate Gag assembly. To elucidate the mechanism by which HTLV-1 Gag binds to the PM, we employed NMR techniques to determine the structure of unmyristoylated MA (myr(–)MA) and to characterize its interactions with lipids and liposomes. The MA structure consists of four α-helices and unstructured N- and C-termini. We show that myr(–)MA binds to PI(4,5)P₂ via the polar head and that binding to inositol phosphates (IPs) is significantly enhanced by increasing the number of phosphate groups on the inositol ring, indicating that the MA–IP binding is governed by charge–charge interactions. The IP binding site was mapped to a well-defined basic patch formed by lysine and arginine residues. Using an NMR-based liposome binding assay, we show that PI(4,5)P₂ and phosphatidylserine enhance myr(–)MA binding in a synergistic fashion. Confocal microscopy data revealed formation of puncta on the PM of Gag expressing cells. However, G2A-Gag mutant, lacking myristoylation, is diffuse and cytoplasmic. These results suggest that although myr(–)MA binds to membranes, myristoylation appears to be key for formation of HTLV-1 Gag puncta on the PM. Altogether, these findings advance our understanding of a key mechanism in retroviral assembly.